Will This Change MNS' Political Fortunes? Raj Thackeray Meets Amit Shah Amid Reports Of BJP Alliance Talks

will this change mns’ political fortunes? raj thackeray meets amit shah amid reports of bjp alliance talks

Maharashtra political circles are abuzz with reports of an impending political alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), after MNS chief Raj Thackeray met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday.

Thackeray left for Delhi on Monday night amidst reports that he was seeking an alliance with the BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in April. Sources said that the MNS chief was seeking the South Mumbai seat to contest the Lok Sabha elections from, and that the alliance with the BJP would be propped up on the basis of this condition.

After arriving in Delhi, Raj Thackeray told media reporters, “I was told to come to Delhi. So I came. Let’s see.” However, he refused to divulge anything after the meeting.

Party leader Sandeep Deshpande said that the details of the meeting would be shared soon.

“Whatever decision will be taken will be for the greater good and in the interest of Marathis, Hindutva and the party,” he said.

As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the BJP is seemingly trying to counter the Uddhav Thackeray factor by using his estranged cousin against him.

Raj Thackeray separated from the Shiv Sena in 2006, after differences with party supremo Bal Thackeray over the latter’s decision to promote his son, Uddhav Thackeray.

His party, the MNS, fought and won 13 seats in the 2009 state Assembly elections – its best till date. In the succeeding general elections in 2014 and 2019, the party fared abysmally, winning just about one seat.

If the seat-sharing talks with the BJP are finalised, the MNS may have a chance at redeeming itself.